If you are a Downton Abbey fan this movie is a must see. When it ended the audience (almost a full house) applauded and cheered. On the way out the âbuzzâ exceeded that of any movie I can recall. And rightly so; the total production was amazing from beginning to end.
Arguably one of the two or three best TV series ever, the movie picks right up where the last episode ended in December 2015. And, in case youâve forgotten some of the pertinent details, the producers give us ten minutes of highlights before the film starts, so everyone is up to speed.
All of the characters return, none of them the worse for wear. As usual the story is divided between the aristocrats living upstairs and the servants living and working downstairs. During the TV series writer Fellowes managed to weave the two groups together, usually seamlessly, but with an occasional bump or two along the way. The movie, however, leans more toward the downstairs with many delightful and sometimes humorous moments.
Downton Abbey
Entertainment Rating: ★★★★
Rating: PG
Possible Oscar Nominations: Best Movie; Michael Engler, Director; Best Supporting Actress, Maggie Smith or Joanne Frogget; Best Supporting Actor; Robert James-Collier; Cinematography, Film Editing, Casting, Production Design; Art Direction, Costume Design; Best Original Script, Julian Fellowes
As the story begins, Lord Grantham receives a formal letter from Buckingham Palace, advising him that the King and Queen, no less, will be stopping by for an overnight visit on their way elsewhere. This turns the household upside down as they begin preparations, even Mr. Carson is called out of retirement to aid in the effort. The servants are particularly excited as they look forward to cooking, serving and catering to the Royals, a once in a lifetime opportunity. Imagine their dismay as several days before the arrival, the King and Queenâs entourage arrives, snooty as can be, and basically tell Downtonâs servant staff to go to their rooms and read a good book, they will take over. That raises a few hackles with the downstairs crew, but somehow you know they will not take it âsitting down.â And they donât. Led by Mr. Bates and his wife Anna, they turn the tables in a delightful sequence of events.
While the main thrust of the story is the preparation for and the actual visit of the King and Queen, there are eight or ten âsub plotsâ involving our favorite characters, all of them will keep you guessing as the story progresses. Maggie Smith as the Dowager Countess gives a great performance, as she continues to âstir the pot.â
While I enjoyed every minute of the movie, there was one highlight scene that will be hard to forget. Before the Royals move on, there is a Ball held in their honor. As the evening wears on the orchestra begins playing dance music, and watching the floor filled with couples waltzing around, was really a sight to behold. I will probably go to see this movie again, if only to watch the closing ten minutes.
If you are a fan you already know that the sets, productions, costuming and cinematography are second to none, and seeing them on the big screen was a real treat.
